and yet even here in the general assembly the truth can sometimes break through. in 1984, when i was appointed israel's ambassador to the united nations, i visited the great rabbi. he said to me -- ladies and gentlemen, i don't want you to be offended. by personal experience of serving here, there are many honorable men and women and many capable and decent people serving their nations here. here's what the rabbi said to me. he said to me, you'll be served in a house of many lies. and then i said, remember that even in the darkest place the light of a single candle can be seen far and wide. today i hope that the light of truth will shine if only for a few minutes in a hall that for too long has been a place of darkness for my country. so as israel's prime minister, i didn't come here to win applause. i came here to speak the truth. [ applause ] the truth is that israel wants peace. the truth is that i want peace. the truth is that in the middle east at all times but especially during these turbulent days, peace must be anchored in security. the truth is that we ca